PE-HD (general purpose, molding & extrusion)

Designation

High density polyethylene / HDPE (homopolymer)

Tradenames

Accucomp, Alathon, Alcudia, Arak, Asrene, Axeleron, Bapolene, Borcell, Borcoat, Borealis, Bormed, Borpex, Borsafe, Borstar, Bretene, Certene, Colorrx, Continuum, Daelim, Delta, Dow Health+, Dowlex, Egyptene, Eleme, El-Lene, Eltex, Eraclene, Etilinas, Evalene, Evolue-H, Exelene, Formolene, G-Lene, G-Lex, Halene, Hanwha, Hiplex, Hival, Hivorex, Hi-Zex, Hostalen, Hypel, Icorene, Indothene, Ineos, Innoplus, J-Rex, Kazan, Kemcor, Lanufene, Lumicene, Lupolen, Lutene, Marflex, Marlex, Marpol, Midilena, Mtegrity, Neftekhim, Nexus, Novapol, Novatec, Paxon, Petilen, Petrothene, Plexar, Polimaxx, Polycompo, Ponacom, Primatop, Prixene, Purell, Qenos, Quadrant, Ravago, Relene, Rigidex, Sabic Vestolen, Safrene, Samsung Total, Sclair, Seetec, Snolen, Surespec, Surpass, Taborex, Taisox, Tipelin, Titanex, Titanvene, Titanzex, Toler, Total, Unilex, Unithene, Unival, Venelene, Vestolen, Yanshan, Yuclair, Yuhwa, Yuzex

Typical uses

Pipes, toys, bowls, buckets, milk bottles, crates, tanks, containers, film for packaging, blown bottles for food.

Compositional summary

(CH2CH2)n, typical n=10,000-20,000

Material family	Plastic (thermoplastic, semi-crystalline)
Base material	PE-HD (Polyethylene, high density)
Polymer code	PE-HD

Composition detail

Polymer

100

%

Physical properties

Density

0.952

–

0.965

g/cm3

Mechanical properties

Young’s modulus	1.07	–	1.09	GPa
Specific stiffness	1.11	–	1.14	MN.m/kg
Yield strength (elastic limit)	26.2	–	31	MPa
Tensile strength	22.1	–	31	MPa
Specific strength	27.3	–	32.4	kN.m/kg
Elongation	1.12e3	–	1.29e3	% strain
Compressive modulus	1.07	–	1.09	GPa
Compressive strength	18.6	–	24.8	MPa
Flexural modulus	0.997	–	1.55	GPa
Flexural strength (modulus of rupture)	30.9	–	43.4	MPa
Shear modulus	0.377	–	0.384	GPa
Bulk modulus	2.15	–	2.26	GPa
Poisson’s ratio	0.41	–	0.427
Shape factor	4.6
Hardness – Vickers	8	–	10	HV
Hardness – Rockwell M	31	–	35
Hardness – Rockwell R	45	–	55
Elastic stored energy (springs)	320	–	442	kJ/m3
Fatigue strength at 10^7 cycles	8.84	–	12.4	MPa

Impact & fracture properties

Fracture toughness	1.52	–	1.82	MPa.m0.5
Toughness (G)	2.15	–	3.04	kJ/m2
Impact strength, notched 23 °C	6.14	–	18.6	kJ/m2
Impact strength, notched -30 °C	3.33	–	16.3	kJ/m2
Impact strength, unnotched 23 °C	590	–	600	kJ/m2
Impact strength, unnotched -30 °C	590	–	600	kJ/m2

Thermal properties

Melting point	130	–	137	°C
Glass temperature	-125	–	-90	°C
Heat deflection temperature 0.45MPa	79	–	91	°C
Heat deflection temperature 1.8MPa	44	–	77	°C
Maximum service temperature	113	–	129	°C
Minimum service temperature	-82	–	-72	°C
Thermal conductivity	0.461	–	0.502	W/m.°C
Specific heat capacity	1.75e3	–	1.81e3	J/kg.°C
Thermal expansion coefficient	106	–	198	µstrain/°C
Thermal shock resistance	132	–	250	°C
Thermal distortion resistance	0.00243	–	0.00454	MW/m

Electrical properties

Electrical resistivity	3.3e24	–	3e25	µohm.cm
Electrical conductivity	5.75e-24	–	5.22e-23	%IACS
Dielectric constant (relative permittivity)	2.2	–	2.4
Dissipation factor (dielectric loss tangent)	4e-4	–	6e-4
Dielectric strength (dielectric breakdown)	17.7	–	19.7	MV/m
Comparative tracking index	600			V

Magnetic properties

Magnetic type

Non-magnetic

Optical, aesthetic and acoustic properties

Refractive index	1.53	–	1.55
Transparency	Translucent
Acoustic velocity	1060	–	1070	m/s
Mechanical loss coefficient (tan delta)	0.0367	–	0.0374

Absorption & permeability

Water absorption @ 24 hrs		0.005	–	0.01	%
Water vapor transmission		0.0283	–	0.0425	g.mm/m².day
Permeability (O2)		49.8	–	69.4	cm³.mm/m².day.atm

Processing properties

Polymer injection molding	Excellent
Polymer extrusion	Excellent
Polymer thermoforming	Excellent
Linear mold shrinkage	1.5	–	4	%
Melt temperature	177	–	274	°C
Mold temperature	30	–	50	°C
Molding pressure range	82.5	–	103	MPa

Durability

Water (fresh)	Excellent
Water (salt)	Excellent
Weak acids	Excellent
Strong acids	Acceptable
Weak alkalis	Excellent
Strong alkalis	Excellent
Organic solvents	Limited use
Oxidation at 500C	Unacceptable
UV radiation (sunlight)	Fair
Flammability	Highly flammable